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“It's fan service above and beyond the call of duty.” Today on the program we discuss the absolute gloriousness that is the Marvel/DC crossover epic JLA Avengers written by Kurt Busiek, and art by the mighty George Pérez. It is a bonanza of comic book wonder, a masterclass by Pérez, and a pretty good story The post Collected Edition: Episode 85: JLA Avengers appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“…a well-told, layered story with complex ideas and themes about a guy in a mini-skirt who fights robots.” Today on the program we discuss the flagship title that launched Valiant Comics - Magnus Robot Fighter. This is the story of a man named Magnus …that fights robots …in a mini-skirt …which to be fair was The post Collected Edition: Episode 84: Magnus Robot Fighter appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“In 1985, with the publication of Beauty and the Beast, history officially died. ” Today on the program we wade into the infamous end of the pool. Beauty and the Beast by Ann Nocenti and "art" by Don Perlin. It tells the story of the love affair between Hank Mccoy's Beast and - the disco-inspired The post Collected Edition: Episode 83: Beauty and the Beast appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“...in Black Monday Murders Hickman actually out Hickman’s himself.” Today on the program we discuss The Black Monday Murders by Johnathan Hickman and Tom Coker – which should be a breeze. It's...complicated. We have an interesting time trying to explain what is actually happening. Because the Black Monday Murders can be a bit daunting for The post Collected Edition: Episode 82: Black Monday Murders appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“A hero's journey writ small... with cosmic implications. ” Today on the program we discuss the classic run on Starman written by James Robinson and art by Tony Harris. This is a beloved run on the character (and deservedly so) with lots of phallic imagery. Also, Paul and Brian have differing ideas on the true The post Collected Edition: Episode 81: Starman appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“There are heavy ideas going on in this comic, but also this is a noir detective comic. and that's pretty cool. ” This time we talk about the grand epic, neo-noir detective comic about hybrid animal-human people, Elephanmen: Wounded Animals written by Richard Starkings and drawn beautifully by Moritat. Set in a world post-pandemic (yikes) The post Collected Edition: Episode 73: Elephantmen: Wounded Animals appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“...immerses the reader in nostalgia. A nostalgia for something that never happened. Or did it?” The year 2000 mini-series that introduced the very first and most important hero in the Marvel universe that you never heard of, or maybe did hear of but can't remember. That's right, it's The Sentry. The dark tale of false The post Collected Edition: Episode 72: Sentry appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“High space adventure awaits!” Journey back with us to the far-away time of the 1980swhere a new imprint - Epic - was being launched with the flagship title: Dreadstar! Written and drawn by the legendary Jim Starlin this tells the tale of Vance Dreadstar and his merry band of rogues. The battle despots, space armies, The post Collected Edition: Episode 71: Dreadstar appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“It is harmless fun that seems as if the creators were having fun creating it. And sometimes that’s all that matters. ” Today on the program we will be discussing the absolutely bonkers series from Marvel back in the late 70s Godzilla: King of the Monsters written by Doug Moench with art (for the most The post Collected Edition: Episode 70: Godzilla: King of the Monsters appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“…a profoundly severe case of daddy issues comes roaring to the forefront with tragic consequences.” Today on the program we will be discussing Invincible – the inspirational story of a plucky bartender that gets to live his dream of playing football for the Philadelphia Eagles. Oh wait, that’s not right. We will of course be The post Collected Edition: Episode 69: Invincible appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“…a tight storyline of espionage, politics, corporate dealings, and betrayal all shrouded in mystery.” Today on the program Captain America: Winter Soldier the epic story written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Steve Epting. The story arc consists of a complicated plot led by a Russian oligarch, armed with a mystical cosmic weapon, and aided The post Collected Edition: Episode 68: Captain America: Winter Soldier appeared first on The Collected Edition.

"...part soap opera, part cosmic adventure, part horror story, and part existential crisis." Today on the program we discuss Black Hammer: Secret Origins the introductory collection of the ongoing series from Dark Horse that is some of the best comics being produced today. Beautifully written by Jeff Lemire and drawn magnificently by Dean Ormston this The post Collected Edition: Episode 67: Black Hammer: Secret Origins appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“...a fun romp that borders on the ridiculous but also had surprising consequences for the Marvel universe still being felt today” Today on the program we discuss the 1985 12-issue mini-series The Vision and the Scarlet Witch.  Written by Steve Englehart with art by Richard Howell the series sees the titular characters resign from the Avengers The post Collected Edition: Episode 66: Vision & the Scarlet Witch appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“He opens up a brand new world of possibility, juxtaposing his own creations within a larger context..." Today on the program we discuss the 1989/1990 four-issue mini-series, The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman with art by John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess, and Paul Johnson. This is a project that started as simply a The post Collected Edition: Episode 65: The Books of Magic appeared first on The Collected Edition.

"The narration is formed not simply as a recounting of events but as a kind of confession and at times almost as a form of prayer." Today on the program we discuss the 1993 on-shot Aliens: Salvation by Dave Gibbons with art by Mike Mignola. In the long, long history of the Alien franchise, Salvation is The post Collected Edition: Episode 64: Aliens: Salvation appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“Hate stands as a very singular piece of independent work. That is both deeply personal and excessively caricatured. ” Today on the program we discuss Hate. Peter Bagge’s early 90s independent comic featuring the trial and tribulations of Buddy Bradly. Please note: the themes and content of this comic are for mature audiences. While we are The post Collected Edition: Episode 63: Hate appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“...a noir style murder mystery. It tells an epic story on a street-level scale ” A special Halloween edition! Today on the program Batman: The Long Halloween - the classic story written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. There have been many iconic and influential stories in the history of Batman. It seems The post Collected Edition: Episode 62: The Long Halloween appeared first on The Collected Edition.

“New life breathed into old clay. Wonder Woman was wonderful again.” Today on the program we will be discussing the 2008 four issue Wonder Woman arc - The Circle. Written by Gail Simone with art by Terry and Rachel Dodson. In 2008, coming off her acclaimed run on Birds of Prey, Gail Simone was given The post Collected Edition: Episode 61: Wonder Woman: The Circle appeared first on The Collected Edition.

Listener Request Episode “Archie’s spirit is remains simple and sincere. And that’s just kinda nice.” Archie Comics is a mainstay of the comic book industry. It’s been plugging away for decades telling simple stories of the joys of youth and the teenage experience through a colorful cast of characters that have become infused into the The post Collected Edition: Episode 60: Archie Americana appeared first on The Collected Edition.

"The ethereal vs the gritty... the common vs the fantastic." On this episode we discuss the first volume of Kurt Busiek's magnum opus - Astro City: Life in the Big City. In these six issues we get to know the titular city, it's super powered inhabitants, and the regular folk who have to deal with The post Collected Edition: Episode 59: Astro City: Life in the Big City appeared first on The Collected Edition.